Euromonitor: implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement during Aug-Dec 2015

This EUROMONITOR Report - First achievements and difficulties in implementing the EU-Moldova Association Agreement presents the monitoring results of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement implementation during July 2015 - December 2016. The Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT and Expert-Grup Independent Think-Tank conducted the monitoring, which covered the analysis of commitments achieved by the Moldovan authorities under the National Action Plan for the implementation of the Moldova – EU Association Agreement for the period 2014-2016 (NPAA).

During the last six months, experts assessed 407 actions. Out of the total, only 24% were implemented, and 11% were partially implemented. At the same time, over a third of the actions (35%) are under implementation and 29% actions were not realized. Therefore, we can assess the implementation of the Association Agreement as a modest one for the monitored period.

Main achievements include a preliminary unfreeze of discussions with the Transnistrian authorities on the implementation of the Association Agreement and launching important twinning projects (an instrument of cooperation between EU and recipient countries) in the financial sector.

These accomplishments were overshadowed by some major setbacks. In particular, we can mention the perpetuation of political tensions, the uncertainty related to signing a memorandum with the IMF and the freeze of foreign aid, delays in implementing inclusive reforms in the financial-baking sector, the failure to appoint a new NBM governor and the inefficient communication between the public institutions on implementing the most vital reforms.

For the abovementioned reasons, the Association agenda shall be intensified through urgent and consistent actions: increasing transparency of the key intuitions, de facto increase of civil society’s participation in the public consultation process, promoting meritocracy in the public institutions and their de-politicization. In addition, it is crucial to adopt a roadmap for consolidating the banking sector, by strengthening the independence of NBM, improving the banking supervision instruments, de-offshorization of the banking sector and last, but not least, improving the accountability of the bank executives. Moreover, a better promotion is required for integrating Transnistrian region in the process of Association Agreement’s basic implementation, particularly in terms of verification and compliance with the rules of origin, customs procedures and quality standards.

The report was published under a project implemented by ADEPT and Expert-Grup with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the East European Foundation and FHI 360. This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, FHI 360 and / or East European Foundation.

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